Joe Austin tapped lightly on her door and stepped inside. “We’ve got a full house today. Two of them want to know if you can ship the flowers in full gift wrap, one wants to know if the flowers will get there sometime before her funeral. Sarcastic old—” He stopped when Bethany raised her eyebrows. “Sorry. Wishful thinking on my part. About her funeral, I mean.” He shrugged. “Anyway, I told the first two we can put bows on the pots and the other—uh, the other customer—I told her we could ship her flowers overnight if she wanted us to, but it would cost her extra.”
Bethany grinned at Joe. “Had a tough morning already, Joey?”
Joe glanced behind him at the tourists. “Why are they so cranky? They’re on vacation. Aren’t they supposed to be having fun?”
“They are. Can’t you tell?” Bethany teased, patting Joe on the shoulder as she went out to greet her guests.
After making her rounds of the showroom, Bethany headed for the patio. She felt the tension draining from her shoulders as she heard the squeals and laughter of Sydney’s class. Normally, Bethany taught the classes on how to make fairy houses, but today her mind was preoccupied and she’d passed the job to Shell and Mickey.
She gave Sydney a brief hug. “Looks like everyone is having fun.”
“As always,” Sydney agreed. She glued a piece of sphagnum moss on the roof of her house and stood back to look at the effect.
“So how’s Thor?” Bethany asked, referring to Sydney’s gorgeous husband. When he’d first shown up at Mystic Tides to install bookshelves, all of the cousins decided the hunky architect and custom furniture craftsman looked like Thor.
Sydney laughed, her expression softening at the mention of her husband. “Nick’s doing great. His business is thriving. I don’t even have to give prospective clients a push in the right direction.”
Bethany shrugged. “I’m not surprised. He’s good at what he does, and his looks don’t hurt either.”
Sydney entwined a living vine up the post of her fairy house and gently fastened it to a little wooden trellis she’d made. When the miniature ivy took root, it would wrap itself up and down the rustic fencing. She studied her work, trying to appear nonchalant, but Bethany knew her cousin well enough to see through it. “Speaking of looks, what did you think of Kal?”
Bethany flashed back to those intense hazel eyes and involuntarily smiled. “Well, you were right; he’s pretty incredible…but…”
Sydney placed her hand gently on Bethany’s arm. Looking around to make sure they were alone, she whispered, “Beth, you have to give up this fantasy that a lover from the sea is going to show up and save you. He’s not. There’s not going to be any warrior from the past. Those stories were wonderful, but your grandma should never have told them to you. Why don’t you try to live in the present and just enjoy the memories of a past life?”
Bethany looked toward the sea. “But I can hear him call my name, Syd. Every morning his voice calls to me across the waves, over oceans of time. He’s there. I can feel him. I dream about him. He’s coming to me. I know he is.”
Sydney’s grip hardened. “Listen to me, Beth. You’re feeling the need for companionship and love. You’ve let this man, this memory, become an obsession. Let him go. Please. Just let him go and see what’s standing in front of you.”
Bethany smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “You’re right, of course, but I don’t think I can do that, Syd.”
Sydney started to speak again, but Bethany gently dislodged her arm and gave her a quick hug. “I’ve got to get back to work. Refreshments will be served for the class after the houses are built.”
Chapter 3
The setting sun cast a red glow across the waves, turning the ocean into liquid fire. Bethany walked down to the beach after her long day at the greenhouse. She held an untouched glass of wine in her hand as she stared out at the horizon. Her talk with Sydney troubled her.
Somewhere out there, sunken deep, lay a land that had once held her life and eternal love. She could see it clearly in her mind. Twisting the ring she wore, she remembered the day her grandmother had passed it to her. The delicate band of silver held a small red jewel and was inscribed with symbols resembling rune stones. Her grandmother told her it was all that was left of their written language.
Before Clarissa became ill, she and Bethany would walk the beach and talk about the land of their heritage. The old woman verbally painted beautiful pictures of a nearly sea-locked land of primeval forests and great rivers that had been taken centuries ago in a catastrophic event.
“Your warrior will return,” she assured Bethany. “You need to be ready to receive him.”
“But how will I know him, Grandma?” Bethany had asked when she was young.
Clarissa would lay her hand on her granddaughter’s head, and Bethany could feel the magic running through her small body like a bolt of energy. “You will know him, child, if you close your eyes and look with your heart.”
“But my heart can’t see, Grandma,” Bethany protested.
Her grandmother smiled indulgently. “It is your eyes that are blind, child. Your heart sees everything.”
Bethany had never forgotten those words of advice, and she always tried to follow her heart.
Except after her talk with Sydney today, she knew things were different somehow. Maybe Sydney had pushed her, and she didn’t realize it. That would be another indication of just how much her magic was fading.
Standing on the beach, Bethany didn’t feel the pull of an ancient city beckoning her to come home or the whispering voice of a long-lost love. Beneath the song of the ocean, she heard the faintest strains of a siren singing, and the song sounded unbearably sad.
Tears shimmered in her eyes. All of her cousins were happy. They had all found good men and settled into long-term relationships. Even Grey had found her match in the hottie fireman who refused to be scared off by her fiery nature.
Thinking of Grey and Beck always made Bethany smile. They were a couple who fought as passionately as they loved. The two of them were often the talk of the town when their disagreements broke out in a public establishment. The fire department had been called out more than once to put out an accidental fire started by Grey’s blazing temper. Yet, the love they held for each other shone in their eyes each time they exchanged glances.
Making up her mind, Bethany drained the glass of wine in her hand and turned back to the house. She couldn’t wait for her warrior any longer. She was going out tonight, but first she had to put on the sexiest outfit she owned. Of course, Grey would say she didn’t own any sexy outfits, but she didn’t want to stop traffic, only turn a few heads.
An hour later, dressed in a short leather skirt and stretchy black top with one shoulder bare and the other covered by a sheer lace sleeve, she knew she looked good. Never one for a lot of makeup, she had added a hint of smoky shadow to her eyes and a rich red lipstick. She doubted the red shine would last more than a couple hours at the most. How did Grey keep her makeup on all night? Oh wait, stupid question, she used a little spell.
That wouldn’t be happening for Bethany. If she was honest with herself, she would have to say her magic had left. The only talent she retained was her earth magic. She could still make things grow and manage a few healing spells, but that was it. She couldn’t bring herself to tell the girls that even her earth magic was beginning to slip away from her. Something was terribly wrong, and she didn’t know who to turn to.
Stepping outside, she gave one longing look at the ocean, remembering the silence of the morning. With a sigh of determination, she straightened her back and tossed her head. Not tonight. She was going out, and she was going to have fun. Tonight she would forget about losing her magic, the past, and her grandmother’s worsening condition. Tonight was a get drunk and pick up some cute guy kinda night.
Heads did turn appreciatively as Bethany walked the short distance to Poisons and Potions, Blansett’s favorite watering hole. As always, a crowd spilled out of the b
ar and onto the sidewalk. Every table seemed full, and several people stood around chatting and laughing. The classic rock music, and mood of the crowd, seeped into Bethany, and she felt her spirits lighten.
In the corner she spotted Kal with a couple of people and waved. He waved back, shooting her a look that had butterflies galloping in her stomach. Careful of her steps in the seldom-worn stiletto heels, she made her way to the bar, ordering a whiskey straight. The bartender set the shot glass in front of her with a wink.
“My kind of woman,” a husky male voice whispered in her ear, startling her. Bethany knew that voice. She had heard it in her head all day. Turning to look at him, she missed his mouth with hers by only a few centimeters. He grinned and arched his eyebrows, straightening up and moving back slightly. “Close call, unless you meant it to be closer.”
What did she say to that? She had no witty comebacks, no breath left to breathe, and no control over the shaking of her hands. Kal’s hair hung free and brushed the top of his broad shoulders, inviting Bethany to run her hands through its thick, black silkiness. He tossed his head to throw a wayward strand of hair out of his face, and Bethany got a flashback so strong she stumbled.
A warrior stood in the breeze, his long hair blowing around his shoulders as he smiled triumphantly looking over the battleground. He reached out…
“Whoa!” Kal reached out to steady her. “How many of those have you had already?” Bending down, he looked into her face as if that might tell him how drunk she was.
Beth felt herself blushing. “It’s the shoes.” She gave him the first excuse that came to her since there was no way she was going to tell him about her vision. “I’m not used to wearing high heels.”
Kal looked down at her feet after taking the slow scenic route down her body. “Ummm. Very nice.”
The quality of his voice made Bethany shiver slightly. She didn’t think his comment of appreciation was limited only to her shoe selection. Kal looked as if he wanted to gobble her up, just like the big bad wolf. Mentally reaching out to probe him, Bethany satisfied herself he wasn’t a lycanthrope, but she thought he had that sort of wild intensity about him. He was staring into her eyes now—no, into her soul—and he didn’t so much as blink.
Obviously satisfied with what he saw, Kal ran his finger down the line of her jaw and passed it quickly across her lips. “You wanna stay here?” he asked.
“No.” She didn’t have to think about it.
* * * *
“I heard you and your cousins are the real deal.” Kal slipped his arm through Bethany’s as they walked back to her beach house for a change of clothes.
“What do you mean by real deal?” Bethany felt a prickle of warning dance under her skin. She and her cousins tried to keep their talents quiet because, just like when someone had money, people tried to take advantage when they knew how much could be accomplished by magic.
“Witches. Powerful ones from what I hear.” Kal studied her when she remained silent. “You don’t like to talk about it, do you?”
“No I don’t,” Bethany said quietly. “Someone has obviously been doing enough talking for all of us.”
Kal bumped her gently with his shoulder. “Lighten up. It was the mayor, so no outlandish gossip.” He grinned. “Well, only a little, maybe.”
Bethany laughed. “Helena-Marie? She’s definitely the town gossip, but when she relays information, she always has an ulterior motive. What did she say about me? Anything interesting?”
“She said you and your grandmother were the prevailing healers until…well…until she started getting confused about things.”
Bethany bit her lip. “I’m really sorry about this morning. Grandma usually stays with her nurse and doesn’t cause any problems.”
Kal shrugged her apology off. “What happened, Beth? When did the dementia start?”
His voice was a soft, deep murmur barely discernible above the melody of the ocean. The way he said her name made her heart speed up and a shiver ripple through her. Bethany reminded herself to focus on the question he’d asked instead of the way his mouth looked when he spoke.
“About six months ago.” She frowned slightly at the memory. “It was the oddest thing. She was okay one day, and then all of a sudden, she started making mistakes, minor at first, but it progressed to the point she couldn’t remember spells she’d cast since I was a child. I tried to heal her, but that’s when I noticed…”
Bethany shut her mouth. She had almost told a stranger what she couldn’t bring herself to tell her cousins.
“You noticed your power was weaker?”
Bethany felt her eyes sting. Not trusting herself to speak, she nodded.
Kal stopped walking and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. Bethany’s breasts pressed lightly against the warmth of his powerful body, and she felt his sensual warmth enveloping her. Clinging to him, she enjoyed feeling his hand stroking her hair while he whispered encouragements in her ear. When he let go, he used his thumbs to brush the moisture at the edges of her eyes before he stepped back. “Do you still have power?”
“It gets weaker almost every day. I haven’t told my cousins.”
Kal frowned. “You mean they haven’t noticed anything wrong?”
“Oh sure, they’ve noticed, but I don’t use magic often, so they have no idea how serious it’s become. Grandma was the healer. I’d occasionally help her with a bad case, but my earth magic is just me. If I plant something, it grows. If I mix an herbal tea, it fixes what I want it to cure, providing it’s not something major like cancer. That takes a more detailed treatment.”
“What about the blessings for the shop and those sorts of duties?”
“Fortunately, Kathy is also a healer, and she can perform most of them. I try to make sure she gets there before me.”
Holding out his hand, Kal stopped at the bottom of the deck. “Give me your keys and wait until I make sure the house is clear.”
Bethany handed over the keys. “Why on earth wouldn’t the house be safe? Do you know how few break-ins we have in Blansett?”
“That’s because over half the population have magical abilities and cast wards to protect their properties. You just told me your abilities are a little shaky right now. Stay here.”
Bethany followed behind Kal and found she couldn’t stop looking at his ass in the snug jeans. He turned at the door, exasperation written all over his gorgeous features. The scowl was back. “What part of wait here don’t you understand?”
“I’m going in with you,” Bethany insisted.
“No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am.”
Kal threw up his hands. “I give up. If someone was inside, they’re long gone by now anyway. C’mon, but stay behind me just in case.”
Bethany followed along, watching him do his cop thing. She loved the way his muscles bunched and relaxed as he entered each room and cleared it. Kal checked every hiding place that might be accessible before he returned to the kitchen and set the keys down on the counter beside the coffee pot.
Without asking, he picked up the canister labeled coffee and loosened the lid. Putting his face close to the jar, he inhaled deeply, shutting his eyes with pleasure. “I’ll make us a cup while you change clothes.”
Bethany nodded, taking a deep, intangible pleasure at the intimacy of him performing the simple task of making coffee in her home. “I’ll be right back.”
He turned with a grin, flashing mischievous dimples. “Need any help with that zipper?”
Bethany felt her cheeks redden as she considered the question. It would be so easy to give into him. Far too easy to invite him into her room and wipe that perpetual world-weariness from his eyes. “I think I can manage,” she said at last.
He merely shrugged and turned back to the counter, where he searched through the cabinets until he found the coffee cups.
When Bethany returned, he was sitting at the table with his long legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles. His cup of
coffee had no cream, but her coffee had a frothy tan quality and she smelled the vanilla before she sat down.
“I noticed you had French vanilla creamer in the fridge,” he said by way of explanation.
Bethany studied him for a long moment. “Why are you really here, Kal? You didn’t bring me home to make out with me.”
He looked away, a thousand-yard stare in his eyes. Something about his pensive profile stirred a fragment of memory in Bethany’s mind. She heard the clash of battle and the chant of a war cry. Bonfires lit up the night sky, and the scent of wood smoke prevailed over the blood of combat. A heavily muscled warrior with intense eyes and long black hair wielded an enchanted sword that shimmered in the firelight. When Kal looked back at her, Bethany knew who he was, and for a moment, she thought she might faint.
“You’re…you’re…” She stopped herself just before she spoke. What if he didn’t believe her? He obviously knew magic—that was one of the requirements to get the chief of police job in Blansett—but Bethany didn’t know what kind of magic he possessed. He might think she was a crackpot for telling him they had once been lovers in an ancient civilization.
“I’m what?” he asked, his hazel eyes narrowing in challenge.
“You’re…never mind.” Bethany looked down at the table, unable to face his scrutiny.
He reached across the table, gently taking her chin. “Look at me, Beth.” He tilted her face up until their eyes met. “What am I?”
Bethany’s heart beat so fast she felt dizzy. In the depths of his hazel eyes, she recognized he understood what she had witnessed. She swore reflections of flames still danced in the depths of his pupils, and on a deeper level, she knew he had experienced the same vision she had.
Mystic Tides Page 27